>> welcome become to "morning joe" and thanks for spending your holidays with us. your neighbors. >> they love us. mo joe reruns continue with colin powell to discuss his book. lessons in leadership and life. the humble beginnings from scraps of paper in his desk. >> you start the book by talking about when you left the white house. you talk about how you would put slips of paper under your desk and they would be your rules. it was an informal thing, but you are doing the article and they noticed that you had these slips of paper loved under your glass on the desk. >> he asked my secretary is there anything about the general to close this piece?

he said he has all these slips of paper. he asked me, what about the slips of paper. i read off 13 of the roughly 25 that were there. the clean ones. they made it into an article and 23 years, we have been giving out the rules. i started thinking about a new book and i never explained the rules. the first part of the book is how they occur to me and how to use them over the years. >> there is fascinating ones. the first one, it ain't as bad as it seems. wait until the morning. even if it is as bad as it seems, leaving an option for the optimistic element will change the way you work and live. >> it's a message to give to the people who are your followers. you have to display a sense of confidence and optimism.

the first sentence of that is this is not a prediction, it's an attitude you carry around. it may not be better in the morning, you don't know. consider that it will be. the first and the last were optimism. it all deals with creating an image of confidence with an organization. you can do anything or we're great. you don't believe it? let's make it happen. >> people talk about how america is in certain collapse. any time you go to europe, i love europe. i'm not going to talk about the chocolate makers, but when you go to europe and especially great britain, you don't get the sense of optimism you don't get when you land back here in america. i heard you talk about the force multiplier. you multiply that 300 million times over, what a powerful

force. >> i spend a lot of time out in the countryside talking to all kinds of audiences. trade associations and financial organizations and they are all worried about the economy and the unemployment rate. they haven't lost confidence. they are hustling and trying to make a living so that people make a better living for their families. don't count this place out. it will never be out. >> the second rule runs counter to what the reality is in washington right now. get mad and then get over it. you talked about how politics is not a zero sum game. your friend 90% of the time is not your enemy 10% of the time. >> i tell a story about a disagreement i had back in 2003 over the iraq war. france was against us going to war and we were against france

being against us. it got ugly with the un. people were saying we don't eat french fries and french wine. we have freedom fries. that lasted about a week. i was mad with the maker. he put me in an awkward position. we exchanged views about it. he was an adversary. i couldn't let him become an enemy because i meet him later. turn him into a friend at some point. that's what he did with me. i don't like to accumulate enemies for that. i rather have people i disagree with and if we can work it out, i have an adversary and a friend. >> you talked about anger. you are flown anger as are a lot of great leaders and you learn how to control about it and you say it's so important for somebody that's running an

office or an army or a nation. >> i think all of us have a zone where sometimes you are a little annoyed and sometimes you are really happy. if your staff and followers understand that, everything is fine. you blow up and get mad. you have to be very, very careful about it. you can't get mad all the time. you create a totally negative environment. nobody wants to bring you bad news. nobody wants to pay attention and they are afraid of you. you never want to work in the environment of fear or anxiety. i want people to like me. it doesn't mean they are my buddies, but i want to have likeness in the organization and i want mutual respect. i respect you and you respect me. it's not brain surgery. >> i want to read two sentences that seem to be loaded to me. i learned a second lesson from

the beer and barracks. surround yourself with ground troop experience whose thinking is not contaminated with grand theories. before we invaded iraq we should have listened to more people with ground troop experience. these people were out there and fewer idea-heavy big egos in washington. >> there were a number of people in the administration and outside and the think tank world that surrounds every administration and all you had to do was take on saddam hussein and baghdad and all would be well. others thought differently. i recommended that he ought to look at a lanler force. when the general, the chief of staff and the army, a combat expert went before congress and was asked by a senator, how many troops do you think it will take to stabilize the place? he was shot down that day by a secretary of defense and almost

disgraced. how can you possibly need more to cure a place after you take it? he was right and pretty much cutoff at the knees. there were others like that. a senior officer who knew better, but the voices didn't carry the day. when baghdad fell, everybody was cheering and that was good. no doubt our troops can do that. as i said in the book, that's not the end of a concept. >> was it tommy frank's responsibility to speak out and say we need more troops? >> i don't know what time he did or did not. they were focused on trying to see if they can do it with a minimum number of troops. they could. baghdad fell quickly. the iraqi army is not what it was years ago. once it fell, it didn't mean the conflict was over. >> general, you speak and write

candidly in the book, february 5th, 2003, the day you remember as much as your own birthday for all the wrong reasons. the initial case was a disaster. incoherent and coming from the vice president's office instead of a lawyer's brief rarp an intelligence briefing. what changed between that case and february 5th, 2003, where you felt comfortable? >> the case there was in the national intelligence estimate that went to the congress four months earlier, but the prohibitation of the case in the white house was not coherent. i couldn't connect things and the cia wouldn't stand behind it. i wasn't troubled because of the national intelligence estimate. congress baseded on that

nationvoted overwhelming to support going to war if war was necessary. they took that vote four months before i gave my speech. that was the most dramatic presentation of the case and it was remembered. i get asked about it every day. >> the nfc never met and discussed the debate. they say how can it be? they never met to discuss iraq? >> we met lots of times. it was discussed constantly. the point is and it's recorded elsewhere, there never was a meeting where we all got to talk to the president and say should we do this? the president came to that decision based on all the briefings he had and based on his knowledge of the situation and what he felt we should do. there was no single meeting, no

single final decision meeting. the president decided and he communicated his decision in chamber. >> let's focus on today and your experience, your life. as a very young man and soldier, you did your first term in vietnam, in a country where we had committed hundreds of thousands of troops and a shaky administration. today in afghanistan, we have many thousands of troops and what appears to be an unreliable ally in president karzai. where are you on afghanistan? >> when we first suffered 9/11, we said it's al qaeda we are after. let's not lose our focus. we gave the taliban three days to turn them over. we took out the taliban and flushed al qaeda out while they were still around. we didn't have a problem with

the taliban before 9/11. we tolerated them. the afghans had the capacity, but reaching a point where they have to do it. they from have to take support for their country and their people. the foreign presence is not that helpful. i think the plan is good. we just can't stay there forever. if the government is going to be corrupt and not take care of their people, they will pay the price for that. are what do you tell a parent who loses a sudden or daughter in afghanistan? why? >> we are trying to create a stable situation and develop a government representative of the people and live in peace with its neighbors. it's not always that simple or easy. even with the most noble circumstance that is a gi lost his life, it's hard to talk to a parent. the most difficult now is when you have a soldier that is

killed by an afghan soldier. that is tough. i would have a tough time explaining that. a parent might say enough. the country that is the majority feels let's figure this out and we have other challenges. >> thank you so much. general powell. coming up, julia louis dreyfus, but first julianne moore on recreating the 2000 election in the film adaptation a game change. that's straight ahead when we return. [ male announcer ] it's that time of year again. time for citi price rewind. because your daughter really wants that pink castle thing. and you really don't want to pay more than you have to. only citi price rewind automatically searches for the lowest price. and if it finds one, you get refunded the difference. just use your citi card and register your purchase online. have a super sparkly day! ok. [ male announcer ] now all you need is a magic carriage.

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the book game change was itself a game changer in the role of political books. the task of adapting the pages into a compelling movie was likely a daunting one. hbo took on that challenge and walked away with five emmy a wars including best actress in a mini series or movie for

julianne moore and best director in a movie for jay roach. >> they joined us on "morning joe" when it first premiered, months before they took home gold. >> when i was doing my research, i spent a lot of time with the material. the book and the media appearances and all the speeches. everything on the source. there were times in the script where if i don't quite understand something, i try to find her own language. not just because rhythmically it was important. >> was there a moment when you were preparing for this and you said to yourself, because i follow the campaign very closely. i'm a republican. there were a couple of those holy crap moments where you say maybe i under estimated her. she had a son getting shot at in

iraq which was one of the most harrowing moment as a father. did you go down to arizona? >> she was four months old, a 7-year-old and a 14-year-old and pregnant 17-year-old and a 19-year-old in iraq. that's a little stress. she was in a particularly untenable situation. she had gone from local politics to national politics very, very quickly. she was vetted in five days. >> was there a moment when you were preparing that you looked at what she had been through and say wow, i didn't even realize the challenge. >> i wouldn't run for office.

. >> we knew that going in and we just committed to getting a story right. we had a great book that had been so well researched and got to work with my collaborator and the amazing screen writer and a strong journalist and committed to tracking down all of the sources and confirming that they weren't messing around. >> by the way, it's more interesting if you produce a multifacetted. it's like a recount and you surprise james bakerment he thought the guys would stiff him and they went around saying it was a great movie. >> if you are going to do a story that said it is based on truth, people get distracted if it feels -- as a story teller, i

want to have it be the real thing. it's compelling and the predicaments. it was riveting and let's get it right first and see how it falls. >> it's clear you explored every facet that was possible of who sarah palin is. who is she? when you watch this movie, what do you discover? >> i can't presume to know her. i don't. >> you explore everything possible. >> you try to put yourself in somebody else's position. i did as much research as possible. i spoke to danny when we were going through the script and -- >> what surprised you about her? >> the thing that is not surprising is her charisma. her absolute and utter ability to charm and communicate. that's what dazzled the united states when she burst on to the scene. you don't see that very often in

politicians. that's something that was a game changer. that kind of -- that's what they were looking for and surprised by. >> it wasn't just giving the speech. the speech was remarkable. i remember democrats and republicans alike saying can you believe this? there was a part of movie that you didn't always see. that was how she had an immediate connection at the rope line that 99% of the politicians don't. julianne was right. it was charisma and the amazing connection she had with americans one on one. >> it happened really well in the movie when she talked to people, the level of excitement and pride the people had. the special needs families were particularly emotional and any event i covered and any region of the country, people reacted.

>> i want to ask you about john mccain. it was a fascinating subtext. let's look ats senator mccain. >> it's the right thing to do, but the wrong way to twin. >> who have been vetted? >> romney, paw lenty and trying to vet bloomberg. >> none of them. >> obama changed the entire dynamic. it is a changed year, sir. we desperately need a game changing pick. none of these middle aged white guys are game changers. >> ed harris is just remarkable. john mccain didn't always come across so well in the book. times when he was fumbling through papers, going with

bernanke and paulson about the melt down that seems every bit as disconnected. this movie he comes across as 100% grade a all american hero. why did he make that decision? >> i admire john mccain and admire especially early john mccain and was a fan for years and i think he found himself in a very tough pickle in the beginning of this story. obama was surging in the polls. it was all kind of going to a very tough place when he had to make the decision. i felt i want the audience to be in his shoes and look at the dilemma he faced. especially when people say you can take this risky choice or you can lose. i want people to relate with them at that moment. casting ed harris is part of it. i think he's a dynamic and

thoughtful person. you can see his soul at stake. that's what great actors can do is let you feel it's not just a choice. it's everything. >> the close upshot of ed harris at the end of the movie. that was ed harris. that's john mccain. >> i think his trance formation of putting on weight and did physical things, but the way he committed to understanding what that guy faced and he's an american hero. it's a very chaotic and polarized place that was up and down through the primaries. i wanted to ask the audience, go past what you expect and look at what it is like to face that decision. it looked like a great idea. what did it feel like as it

started to go off the rails. all of his people were fighting each other and seem to be sabotaging. it was an anxiety dream for him too. >> julianne moore and jay roach. thank you so much. new years clutter is no match for someone with big ideas. with a new project in mind, some how-to knowledge to give us an edge, and more savings down every aisle. it only takes a few twists and turns for those bright ideas to make the new year even brighter. more saving. more doing. that's the power of the home depot. start fresh and save with hdx 20 gallon totes, a special buy at just $5.88 a piece.

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>> mitt romney declared his candidacy for presidency. his second bid fell short and once again, here now are the top moments that stood out from mitt romney's run. >> the good, the bad, and the ugly. >> i have just called president obama to congratulate him on his victory. his supporters can campaign deserve congratulations. i wish all of them well and particularly the president and first lady and their daughters. this is a time of great challenges for america and i pray that the president will be successful in guiding our nation. >> developing news right now.

mitt romney makes it official, launching his presidential bid in new hampshire. >> i'll tell you what. $10,000? >> as they say in china -- >> i'm speaking. i'm speaking. are you just going to keep talking or let me finish what i have to say? >> the red light doesn't mean anything to you because you are the front runner, but can we drop the pious bologna? >> the start of the 2012 general election season might some day be traced right back to today. >> after 43 primaries and caucuses, today we are going to win on november 6th. >> republicans in congress have found the nominee for president who promised the rubber stamp on the agenda if he gets the chance. we cannot give him that chance.

>> what's up, gangsters. it's the mi double 'tisle. >> trees are the right right and love the lakes and i love cars. i like being able to fire people. i like greats and things are strange. >> i met a guy yesterday. 7 feet tall. i figure he had to be in sports, but he wasn't. for purple mountains madge justy. above the fruited plain ♪ corporations are people, my friend. >> guess what. i made a lot of money. i'm not concerned about the very poor. >> is this a category five crisis? >> you have three presidential debat debates. . >> do you want me to tell romney? can't do that to himself. >> i accept your nomination for

president of the united states. >> the first presidential debates approximate now it's a matter of hours away. >> i love big bird. the economy tanks, it's been crushing. i have been in business for 25 years. i have no idea what you are talking about. >> where was obama tonight? he went in there disarmed? romney was winning. >> you will get your chance in a moment. i'm still speak. >> mine is not as big as yours. >> you said in the rose garden it was an act of terror. >> can you say that louder? >> he did call it an act of terror. >> the binders full. >> we also have fewer bayonets. you say them louder and somehow that makes a difference. >> all tied up. our brand-new numbers in the

race for president. >> here's old moderate mitt. i missed you these last few years. >> if you can't change washington from inside the white house, let's get you the plane ticket back to chicago you earned. >> voting is the best revenge. >> for revenge i asked the american people to vote for love of country. >> election day, america. >> people are choosing on the direction of the country. >> just four hours from now, the polls will close. >> it's too close to call for virginia and florida. >> pennsylvania has been held by president obama and so far not exactly the way the night that i think romney would hope for. >> ohio. president barack obama remains president of the united states for a second term. >> the romney family chose to

give back to public service and that is a legacy that we honor and applaud tonight. >> i so wish i had been able to fulfill your hopes to lead the country in a different direction, but the nation chose another leader and so ann and i join with you to earnestly pray for him and this great nation. thank you and god bless america. >> she plays the vice president in the acclaimed hbo series, deep. our conversation with julia louis dreyfus is ahead.

>> julia louis dreyfus is known as elaine dennis and her current role is worthy of seinfeld. her show veep is a rip smart

comedy with life in the beltway. >> dreyfus won an emmy for betrayal of vice president selena meyer. before that she joined us here and the lack of power. an absolutely humiliation that comes with it. >> i would say this. i would say there is no politician in washington who aspires to the vice presidency. right? so that makes it a delicious fun thing to do. i have to say it's absolute just to go to your point. i'm getting asked that question a lot. it's all about political behavior. >> it's a position, you are number two in the united states, but at the same time it's a degrading position in so many ways. i don't know if you knew that, but i was in congress as a young man. i talk about it all the time.

>> that's impressive. a guy comes to me and i say to people, what do you want to be at the end? he said one day i would like to be vice president. next appointment? nobody wants to be vice president. he didn't get the job. what is it about the job though that is again, so powerful and at the same time -- >> the role of vice president is to preside over the senate and then to step in should the president be unable to govern. beyond that it really is about the relationship in that particular administration between the vice president and the president. in our show the relationship is, shall we say, highly dysfunctional and the president keeps the vice president at arm's length in a way. you will never see the president in our show ever. you will never even know what party we are in.

>> do you have a show -- joe biden will talk to anybody. he's a nice guy. have you talked to joe biden? >> i have, but not in relation to this. i met him prior to signing on to this. he's a great guy. i love him. >> did you talk to al gore? >> i talked to a couple of vice presidents. i was keeping that under wraps. i wanted to ask really personal questions like i don't know, when you get up in the middle of the night because you have to go to the bathroom does the secret service follow you? that's an important question. can you see how i take this research seriously? >> we had al gore, that cat is out of the bag. >> because he led. >> did you talk to him? >> i'm not talking. i'm not talking. >> so we always hear about the body man. the body man, you look at reggie

love and always a fascinating relationship with the president. you have a fascinating relationship with your body man. >> yes. tony hale from arrested development is my body man. >> i have seen that show. it's fantastic. >> it is fantastic. he is so phenomenally fabulous and he is next to me all the type. so much so they go like this and i know i will get purell in my hands. in fact we were in d.c. for the premier. reggie love was there and i said listen, we are not doing this. just so you know. >> once they put you in that slot, that endorsement, when you have that hbo big thing before you, it's probably like -- >> for instance, wait a second. she's here. >> knock me down. >> do you know what the point

is. >> you want to try role playing? >> excuse me, can i make a bigger point? there a lot of things that go on hbo that don't get the reviews this gets. this again looks like it's poised for success. i am trying to complement you and i keep getting killed. >> i want you not to say that. >> i think i care too much. >> i do too. i'm getting teary. i'm going to knock wood because i'm superstitious. >> let me ask you this. i think enough time passed in seinfeld. when people see you on this street or when they see her, they don't think she was in seinfeld. that's not the first thing they think. she is funny and talent and has a good script and a good team. do you feel that shadow. not that it's bad, but do you

feel it's passed? >> i don't know that it's passed, but it's my history and a part of who i am. >> two marriages. >> you were in congress, weren't you? >> i don't like to talk about it. >> kind of like that. you know what i mean? i'm proud of it. i know what you mean and i think we can move on and at the same time embracing the past. >> there you go. >> you went to a lot of therapy? >> does anybody have a cigarette? i need one. >> give us your favorite larry story. the guy seems very relaxed and at peace with himself. >> my favorite larry story, how about your worst one? >> there so many. i met larry david on "saturday night live" believe it or not in the 80s. many years ago i was on

"saturday night live" and he was there. my third year on snl. we bonded over the fact that we were both so entirely miserable on that. >> you had one sketch on in a full year. >> if that and it was cut between dress and air. we bonded over unhappiness approximate we will also remain happiness over it. >> seriously, i had my office that i had things i tape to the wall. a quote that you made for some reason was on the calendar. it said i love larry david. one of the funniest men alive and a gifted writer and he once threatened to kill dick epperson. that's a great quote. [ male announcer ] it's that time of year again. time for citi price rewind. because your daughter really wants that pink castle thing.

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>> what has worked for me may not work for you. take for instance, what has worked for me? wigs.

tight clothes. push up bras. high heel shoes, five-inch high heel shoes. all i've got to say, take my advice and some of you boys may find yourself on a different career path than you might have planned. >> i talk about the high heel shows. the legendary country music singer dolly partment speaking in 2009 and dolly joins us with more of her advice and her new book, dream more, celebrate the dreamer in you. good to have you on the show. >> thank you and it's good to be with you. thanks. >> four guiding principles in the book. dream more, care more, be more. >> i have been a dreamer all my life. dreams make it all happen. >> when did it start for you? >> very early on when i was a kid. my mom said you and your dreams. but it was me and my dreams that

brut me here today. >> how old were you when you wanted to sing? >> actually my people were all very musical. i used to sing in church and funerals and the shin digs around town. my uncle bill took a great interest to me and thought i had potential. he used to take me around to different radio stations. i was about 10 years old when i made my debut. when i got a taste of that, i thought this is what i'm going to do. >> you had passion. >> it wasn't because i was good, but buzz i was little. i know that now. it didn't matter though. i has been doing it since i was little. >> we have been talking about this and how important to have something that you love. it's one thing to be good in school or get good grades, but to have something that drives you is defining. >> that are dream.

>> in terms of being able to have a life's path. >> and music is so great too. music is always something big in our family, but i love to write and sing and even to this day, even when personal things, i write my happiest songs when i'm sad. it's a way for music to be a break. >> my daughter is writing songs now. >> how old is she? >> she is 14 and spends hours strumming at her guitar and playing piano and singing at the top of her lungs. i think some of the songs might be about me and they're troubling. she has a place to go with it. >> we have to express ourselves. even if you get a good idea, you can expend it. don't take it too personal. >> your next is learn more.

i never met a person who hasn't learned the most when they failed. talk about your best life lesson. >> there have been many times. everybody said to me you seem so happy. i will joke and say no, that's the botox. you have to go through those things and fail at times even though things didn't turn out the way you wanted. you have to know there is a lesson in that. i pray and i have a lot of faith all the time. i accept everything as it is. even if i don't like it and i regret things for myself, i know that's not the way it goes. >> when you fail, you don't obsess over it. >> for a minute. i do for a while, but long enough to analyze what really made it not work and i take the elements that were great and apply them to something else or hold them until that comes up. nothing is ever wasted with me.

>> the important thing, something good that happens out of every experience no matter how bad it is. you failed at a variety show, but you took things from that. you took lessons from that and the next time i guess you put your head down and said that is not going to happen to me again. >> exactly. >> when i do this project, i will see the punch coming. >> that's how i do it. the broadway show, 9 to 5 was not a big hit, but you learn what to do and what not to do. you learn how much is hype and how many people are so involved that you don't really -- i learned a lot and i write my own life story as a musical. i learned a lot when i get ready to go back into that. i don't be this or let this happen. you learn from everything.

>> nothing is easy. i think maybe sometimes people might think it looks easy from the outside. >> everything looks easy from out there. >> that's your job is to make it look easy, but it's never that easy. i love little sparrow. >> it's a sad song. thank you. >> when you strip everything down with the variety shows or 9 to 5 or the movie career or tv stuff, is it the songs that you write that at the end of your life you will look become and say you know what, that's what it was about the most for me? >> that will be the thing i probably enjoyed the most. people ask if you can pick one thing which you can't, but if i had to just do thing, it would be to write songs. that's how i express myself. it's like my therapy. i never had to go to a psychiatrist because i can write

it out. i can speak for other people. that's my favorite thing even if they are not that good, it's a great release for me. i enjoy it. i will continue to do that. >> maybe my daughter will be okay. >> she's writing things about you you will like. >> they are fantastic. >> i have been thinking about singing with a mother or daughter. wouldn't that be i great idea? maybe your daughter and i can getting to o and i can be you and she can be her. >> we will put you in touch. >> we are trying to sort through things. >> it's like this. i hate her. i hate her, i hate her. who is this about? i don't know. what's the song called? mom. >> you are writing a song right here. >> i love no one more than you. >> that's a great line. that's the way it always is with

parents and children. toughen up, mama. >> we have a country song right here. finally you say care more and be more. let's finish on caring more. >> we should all learn to care more and not just about caring for the individuals. we get to shape this whole wide world. if people care more about things that are the most important, wouldn't it be so much better than it is now? on the personal end, i try very much or very hard to care more about everything i do whether it's about my work, i care to be on time. i care to do my work properly and care about the people i work with. i care about what i do. i want other people to care about what i do if i'm trying to get things by it. they are the ones that pay my bills. i think we can't care enough for every reason in the world. as a world and as a people, just

certainly as individuals trying to get along just like with us. we care more. i care more about not having to run so close on time. i almost didn't get here on time. i care no to not worry about that. i was thinking oh, no! if i'm on time, i'm late. i try to be always on time. >> the book is dream more. dolly parton, thank you very much. it's great to meet you. here you go. you, too. i'm going to dream about that steak. i'm going to dream about that tiramisu. what a night, huh? but, um, can the test drive be over now? head back to the dealership? [ male announcer ] it's practically yours. but we still need your signature. volkswagen sign then drive is back. and it's never been easier to get a passat. that's the power of german engineering. get $0 down, $0 due at signing, $0 deposit, and $0 first month's payment on any new volkswagen. visit vwdealer.com today.